Charges laid in Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette death

The Crowsnest Pass RCMP in Alberta said charges have been laid in the death of two-year-old Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette after her remains were found in a rural area near Blairmore.

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Derek James Saretzky, 22, is being charged with first degree murder in the deaths of both Hailey and her father Terry Blanchette, who was found stabbed to death in his home.

Saretzky also faces charges of indignity to a body relating to Hailey’s death. He has been in police custody since Tuesday and is expected to make his first court appearance on Friday, September 23 at 9:30 a.m.

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The toddler had been missing from her father’s Blairmore home since early Monday morning. The Amber Alert was officially called off on Tuesday evening at 9:20 p.m. Mountain Time.

RCMP Superintendent Tony Hamori, Assistant District Officer in Southern Alberta extended his condolences to the family in a press release and thanked the public and the media for their help in the hunt for the little girl.